Paper Jack-O'-Lanterns

It's that time of year again when all the kids get together to create some wonderful Halloween crafts.

There's something about all that glitter. It really makes this jack-o'-lantern pop.

I like how the glitter on this pumpkin is strategically placed in the eyes, nose, and mouth. The pastels look fabulous on the brown craft paper.

Cute!

This guy's up to something. I can see it in his eyes.

Happy Halloween!

Chalk Fest 2011

Welcome to Chalk Fest 2011 on the River Common, Wilkes-Barre. I'd like to thank Mary Therese Biebel from The Times Leader for featuring my students in the article titled Chalk It Up, which appeared in yesterday's paper to promote Chalk Fest. Click here to read about it.

It was wonderful to see so many people come out to enjoy the day's events along the Susquehanna River.

The little kitty in this chalk drawing caught my eye. Look at the tire swing in the tree. I love all the details in this chalk drawing.

Artist Leigh Pawling was busy working on drawing the logo for one the event's sponsors. Leigh transferred the design to the sidewalk using a technique similar to how Michelangelo transferred his cartoons (full-sized, detailed drawings) onto the plaster surface of the Sistine Chapel.

During the Renaissance, it was customary for fresco painters to use a stiletto to transfer their cartoons onto a plaster surface.  Many of the frescoes still have little holes indicating how the cartoons were transferred. 

Leigh's hard at work, but she's having fun. Be sure to check out her beautiful artwork here.

One of my students came out to enjoy the day after art class this morning. Marissa loves to draw Manga characters, and I can see the beginning of some interesting designs.

Here's  a closeup of some of Marissa's artwork. Is that a heart with a halo? 

We couldn't ask for a more beautiful day. The weather was warm and sunny, and by noon it started to feel like it was 80 degrees.  

At first I thought this was an Easter egg.  The closer I looked, it appeared to be a hot-air balloon.  Nice colors!

What a difference a month makes. On September 8, 2011, this entire area was under water, and we were ordered to evacuate.  Tropical Storm Lee drenched Northeast Pennsylvania with unprecedented amounts of rain. Thank God for the levees. 

You can still see some of the mud left after the high water receded. In fact, I saw two girls throwing mud at each other this afternoon.

Here's an interesting sketch. It looks like a prehistoric bird. Remember Land of the Lost?

Here's a picture looking north. Again, you can see the mud on the stairs.

~A pumpkin~

~Heading back home up the river bank~